Official Language of India – UPSC Notes – Art & Culture

India, known for its rich mix of languages and cultures, has organized its language setup in the constitution. In Part 17 (Articles 343 to 351), the Indian Constitution talks about the official language of the country and also discusses classical languages. Read our comprehensive article on Official Language of India!

Official Language of India

Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, is the official language of the Union of India. Originally, the Constitution planned to stop using English for official purposes 15 years after it started on January 26th. However, this sparked protests among those who didn’t speak Hindi. In response, The Official Languages Act, 1963 was enacted. It made Hindi in the Devanagari script the official language, while English became a “subsidiary official language.”

The Constitution also lets each state pick its official language(s) for state-level communication. Initially, 14 languages were listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution for use by the states. These included Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Sindhi was added later in 1967.

Over time, more languages were included:

• Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali in 1992 through the 71st Amendment Act.
• Bodo, Maithili, Dogri, and Santhali in 2003 through the 92nd Amendment Act.

Now, there are 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule, showcasing the diverse linguistic landscape of India.

Official Languages in States

While Hindi stands as the official language of India, individual states have the authority to adopt one or more languages for their official functions. This can include either Hindi or the languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule. States also reserve the option to choose languages not specified in the Schedule for their official purposes. For example, Tripura utilizes Kokborok, Puducherry opts for French, and Mizoram designates Mizo as its official language.

Language of Communication between Union and States

According to Article 346 of the Constitution, English is designated as the official language for communication between states or between a state and the Union. However, if two or more states mutually agree, Hindi can be used for such communication.

Language of Courts

Article 348 specifies that English shall be the language used in the Supreme Court, high courts, and for bills and acts until Parliament decides otherwise.

Special Directive for Promotion of Hindi

Article 351 imposes a duty on the Union to promote and develop the Hindi language, drawing inspiration from Sanskrit and other Indian languages. This directive aims to preserve and enrich the cultural and linguistic diversity of India while promoting the use of Hindi.

Status of Classical Languages

India acknowledges several languages as classical languages based on specific criteria. The initiative for recognizing classical languages originated with Tamil academicians, arguing for the classification of Sangam anthologies as classical due to their antiquity and literary significance. Subsequently, a committee established criteria for granting classical status to languages, including:

1. High antiquity of early texts or recorded history spanning 1500-2000 years.
2. A body of ancient literature valued across generations.
3. Originality in the literary tradition, distinct from borrowed influences.
4. Distinctness between classical language and its modern forms.

Classical Languages in India

Presently, six languages have received recognition as classical languages in India:

1. Tamil (2004)
2. Sanskrit (2005)
3. Kannada (2008)
4. Telugu (2008)
5. Malayalam (2013)
6. Odia (2014)

The status of a classical language brings various benefits, including international awards for scholars, the establishment of Centers of Excellence, and the creation of professional chairs for classical language studies.

India’s constitutional recognition of official languages and classical languages underscores its commitment to preserving its cultural and historical heritage, reflecting the diverse linguistic richness of the nation.

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FAQs on the Official Language of India

1. What are the 22 official languages of UPSC?
   • Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri.
2. Which is the official language of India according to UPSC?
   • Hindi, as per Article 343 (1) of the Indian Constitution.
3. How many official languages are there in India?
   • There are 22 official languages in India, as listed in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.
4. How many official languages are there in India in 2023?
   • The official 22 languages of India are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Sindhi, Konkani, Nepali, Manipuri, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.
5. What is Article 343?
   • Article 343 of the Indian Constitution declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. It also specifies the international form of Indian numerals for official purposes.